Bachelor of Nursing

Course summary

The Bachelor of Nursing provides students with a combination of foundational science, professional knowledge and clinical experiences to comprehensively prepare graduates for a career in nursing and health. The degree aims to produce graduates with the competence, confidence and flexibility to adapt to changes and contribute to innovation in the nursing profession and the health care system.

Graduates are equipped to apply sound evidence-based reasoning skills to their nursing practice, provide therapeutic care to patients, coordinate nursing care to individuals and groups, and work independently as well as collaborate in multidisciplinary teams for effective outcomes.

Social sciences: Australian health care system, Indigenous studies, philosophy, psychology and sociology for health sciences, legal and ethical studies and research methods.

Learning outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes.

demonstrate the ability to work independently and collaboratively with the consumer, the nursing team or as a member of an interdisciplinary health care teams and effectively lead the delivery of nursing

Cultural competence

apply and integrate an understanding of social, indigenous and cultural diversity, a local and international perspective, and respect for the identity and dignity of all persons

Assessment methods

A variety of assessment methods is used in this course including multiple choice examinations, short answer examinations, essay examinations, case studies, tutorial and workshop presentations, debates, written assignments and clinical skills testing. For each unit there are usually two to three assessment items.

Teaching methods

On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.

Some units in this course are also available online. Our online study option is highly interactive and strives to promote collaboration and a sense of community. Students may receive a combination of podcast or video-linked lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.

Career opportunities

As a registered nurse in a range of public and private health sectors; in clinical settings such as paediatrics, community health and education; as a practice nurse in GP clinics, mental health, child care, aged care, perioperative care, Indigenous health, rural and remote area health and emergency departments.

Professional placement

Supervised clinical placements provide students with experiences of nursing (totalling about 850 hours) in settings relevant to their areas of study in government and private hospitals and health agencies. This may include acute and low care health facilities; community settings; mental health facilities; extended residential aged care; GP practices; health promotion and education; intensive care; health clinics; accident and emergency; palliative care; primary health care settings and related nursing and health services within metropolitan, regional and rural areas throughout NSW and south-east QLD.

Professional experience placements require students to fulfil certain pre-requisites prior to attending any placements (e.g. a working with children check and National Police Certificate). Prior to applying for this course, please consider the important information regarding these requirements.

Tuition fees are in Australian dollars, and are subject to change. Annual tuition fee is based on completing 8 units per year. In addition students are required to pay OSHC for the duration of their visa in advance. Non-tuition fee covers textbooks, stationery and excursions.

Related links

Learning Resources

MySCU is a student's point of entry to a range of online services and resources that support study and student life. The portal includes unit learning sites and information sites where students can access resources, communication tools and useful links that are integral to their studies.

The web-based study environment Blackboard Learn delivers an advanced online learning environment for students and lecturers to communicate and collaborate through virtual meeting spaces, classrooms, and discussion boards. They can share files, presentations and applications. If a tutorial or lecture is recorded, students can view it afterwards.

Learning materials include the provision of unit information guides, study guides and readings. Students may need to purchase or access prescribed text books.

The SCU Library provides a wide range of services that include face-to-face and online help, and access to print and electronic resources.

The Academic Skills team supports student learning by offering online and on-campus academic skills workshops, assignment reviews and small group or one-on-one face-to-face, phone or Skype consultations during business hours 9am to 4.30pm. Appointments can be made via the MySCU Hub 'Connect Now' button or on the Academic Skills home page. Students can also book appointments online in Career Hub.

The Studiosity service provides online after-hours study support for SCU students. This service is available from 4pm to midnight Sunday to Friday via the 'Connect Now' button on MySCU Hub or from a link in nominated unit learning sites. The Studiosity service offers generic writing feedback and live online chat assistance for foundational concepts and study skills.

Equipment and facilities

Southern Cross University provides students with modern well equipped teaching spaces such as lecture theatres, classrooms, and studios or laboratories tailored to meet the needs of specific study disciplines. Contemporary audiovisual equipment is standard in most teaching venues, and students have access to computer labs for individual study purposes.

A range of online and electronic technologies are used to conduct and support the delivery of this course. Students have access to state-of-the art clinical and electronic teaching resources. High and low fidelity simulations are used to replicate clinical environments for safe rehearsal of clinical reasoning and skill development. Students also have access to science, anatomy and physiology laboratories that provide a range of scientific and diagnostic equipment and interactive software, visit scu.edu.au/healthlabs

Course structure

Table of contents

Admission requirements

Applicants must have achieved:

satisfactory completion of at least six years of primary and secondary education taught and assessed in English in one of the Recognised Countries (see below), including at least two years between years 7 and 12; or

completed at least two years (full time equivalent combined secondary and/or tertiary and/or vocational education taught and assessed solely in English, in one of the Recognised Countries; or

the IELTS (academic module) with a minimum overall score of 7 and a minimum score of 7 in each of the four components: or

the OET with a minimum score of B in each of the four components; or

the PTE Academic with a minimum overall score of 65 and a minimum score of 65 in each of the four communicative skills; or

the TOEFL iBT with a minimum total score of 94 and the following minimum score in each section of the test: 24 listening, 24 reading, 27 writing, and 23 speaking.

Recognised Countries means the following countries: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK and USA.

An applicant who has completed a Certificate III qualification will not be admitted solely on the basis of this qualification.

Course requirements

To be eligible for the award of Bachelor of Nursing, a candidate shall successfully complete the equivalent of twenty four (24) units (288 credit points) comprising all units listed in the Schedule of Units attached to these Rules and complete all professional experience hours assigned to the units in which they are enrolled.

Professional Experience Learning

This course includes professional experience learning. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, as detailed on School of Health and Human Sciences Professional Experience page must be met prior to attending professional experience placement. All professional experience learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated.

Student Progression

A candidate who has twice not satisfactorily met the requirements of units which include professional experience learning will either be:

excluded from the award; or

subject to adequately demonstrated grounds of appeal (consistent with University Policy), permitted to re-enrol following approval by the Head of School.

Duration

The maximum duration for completion of the award of Bachelor of Nursing is seven (7) years in total which includes any period for a leave of absence. Candidates who have an interrupted study of more than 18 months will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Inherent Requirements

Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Access & Inclusion website. If you have a disability or health condition which may impact on your ability to meet these requirements please refer to the Student Access & Inclusion website for further information and contact details.

International future students

Current students

Southern Cross University acknowledges and pays respect to the ancestors, Elders and descendants of the Lands upon which we meet and study.We are mindful that within and without the concrete and steel of buildings these Lands always were and always will be Aboriginal Land.